The Digital Press

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured detailed infrared images of Sagittarius B2, a massive star-forming cloud near the Milky Way’s center, revealing intense star birth amid dense cosmic dust. These observations help scientists investigate why star formation is vigorous in B2 but surprisingly slow elsewhere in the galactic center.

Why it matters: JWST’s infrared vision penetrates dust to reveal star formation processes previously hidden in the galactic center.

The big picture: Understanding star formation in B2 sheds light on conditions similar to those in the early universe after the Big Bang.

The stakes: Unraveling what controls star birth near Sagittarius A* could clarify why most of the galactic center exhibits sluggish star formation.

Commenters say: Enthusiasm for JWST’s imaging breakthrough is mixed with curiosity about magnetic fields’ role and how these findings relate to broader cosmic evolution.